Rumormill claims iPod camera delays could push back launch

Cameras have been rumored to be coming to the iPod touch for months now, but a …

On the eve of Apple's annual iPod event, the rumormill is full of claims that technical issues could delay the launch of new iPods with built-in cameras. Originally posted by Hardmac, the new camera module that has been rumored to be stuck into the iPod touch is allegedly causing problems, and the "first dozen of thousands [of] units" had to be put aside. Corroborated by a source speaking to AppleInsider, the part issue could force Apple to roll out the iPods later than expected.

Rumors and speculation about cameras appearing in the next-gen iPods have become so commonplace that it would be a surprise for it not to be announced at tomorrow's media event. The iPod touch, iPod nano, and even iPod classic are said to be getting cameras, with the iPod nano's screen possibly even gaining a wider aspect ratio as well. The two reports discussing bad camera parts only specifically mention the iPod touch, however. With no more information to run on, it seems as if that's the only device that might suffer from a delay.

As noted by AppleInsider, Apple may scrap plans to announce the cameras in the iPod touch tomorrow, but we highly doubt that will happen (that is, assuming it was in the plans to begin with). If there is indeed a delay, it's more likely that Apple will merely announce the update and push the official retail date until later in the month. Of course, this is all speculation at this point, so be sure to tune into our live coverage of the event in less than 24 hours to find out (most of) the answers.

Jacqui Cheng
Jacqui is an Editor at Large at Ars Technica, where she has spent the last eight years writing about Apple culture, gadgets, social networking, privacy, and more. Emailjacqui@arstechnica.com//Twitter@eJacqui

I wouldn't assume that Apple has the new iPods in stock already. It's not uncommon for them to announce a product, and then set a shipping date that is several weeks out.

That would suck though, as my store has completely sold out of Touches. Since we're an authorized reseller, we almost always receive new products a good 2 weeks after they're "available". So we might not get the new ones until October!

Highly unlikely and clearly made up. It is not as if cameras on iPod Touch like devices is something new to Apple (see iPhone). Any kinks were likely to have long been worked out back in 2007 with the first iPhone and then revised with the 3G and 3Gs.

I don't get it. Why waste resources on a camera when everybody and their dog has a phone with a camera. If you're using your iPod, you'd most likey have your phone in a pocket also.Besides, its just a camera, why all the hype?